Electromagnetic boom and environmental cleanup application for use in conjunction with magnetizable oil

ABSTRACT

A method and system for efficient oil spill cleanup are disclosed. Inserting magnetic filings in the oil magnetizes the spilled oil. An electromagnetic boom associated with an oil spill cleanup apparatus is used to create a magnetic field proximate to the electromagnetic boom. The magnetic field draws the magnetized oil toward the boom. The magnetic field is periodically switched on and off to create a pumping effect and draws the magnetized oil to a collection apparatus. The electromagnetic boom is directed through the effected environment using a thruster on the distal end of the boom.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/325,489, titled “ELECTROMAGNETIC BOOM AND ENVIRONMENTALCLEANUP APPLICATION FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH MAGNETIZABLE OIL,” filedon Jul. 8, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,249,549, which is a divisionalapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/112,251, titled“ELECTROMAGNETIC BOOM AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP APPLICATION FOR USE INCONJUNCTION WITH MAGNETIZABLE OIL,” which was filed on May 20, 2011, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,795,519. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/325,489 isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/112,251 is also herein incorporated by referencein its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/112,251 claims thebenefit and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/368,123, which was filed on Jul. 27, 2010. U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/368,123 is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/112,251 also claims the benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/356,319,filed Jun. 18, 2010. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/356,319 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments are generally related to the field of oil spill clean up.Embodiments are also related to methods and systems for cleaning oilfrom water, surfaces, and wildlife. Embodiments are additionally relatedto the use of an electromagnetic boom for cleaning magnetizable oil fromsurfaces and water.

BACKGROUND

Human release of oil into the environment is an ongoing environmentalconcern. An oil spill is generally understood as an evacuation of liquidpetroleum hydrocarbon into the environment due to human activity. Thismay be from oil tankers, offshore platforms, drilling rigs, wells, or anumber of other sources. Public attention is often drawn to marine oilspills, where oil is released into the ocean or costal waters.

Oil spills are known to cause numerous environmental problems. Seabirdsand marine mammals that are exposed to oil spills may suffer from anumber of conditions. Oil reduces the insulating capacity of plumage andfur, and the ingestion of oil can cause various internal complications.Oil also affects marine flora because it reduces the penetrating depthof sunlight thus retarding the process of photosynthesis for underwaterplants.

A number of approaches are presently used to cleanup oil spills. Thetechniques used depend on many factors including the type of oilspilled, the temperature of the water, and the affected environment.Known cleanup methods include the use of microorganisms or biologicalagents to breakdown or remove oil, controlled burning, the use ofdispersants and dredging, skimming, and vacuum and centrifuge techniqueswhere oil is sucked up with water and then separated from the water witha centrifuge.

Current methods and systems are not adequate to quickly cleanup oilspills, and thereby minimize the environmental impact of those spills.Current boom apparatuses are passive meaning they are only used topassively contain an oil spill, but fail to actively aid in cleaning theoil. It is therefore necessary to develop an active boom method andsystem for cleaning oil spills.

SUMMARY

The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed and isnot intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of thevarious aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entirespecification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

It is, therefore, one aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide fora simple and environmentally safe method to cleanup, recover, andmanipulate oil.

It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for amethod and system for magnetic or electromagnetic cleanup of oil.

It is yet another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for anenhanced method and system for an electromagnetic boom for cleanup ofoil spills.

The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can nowbe achieved as described herein. A method and system for oil spillcleanup are disclosed. An electromagnetic boom apparatus can comprisesolenoids and buoys alternately linked on a tether. A thruster can beconnected to the distal end of the tether for sweeping the tetherthrough an environment. A collection apparatus can be formed at theorigin of the tether so that the solenoids can produce a drivingmagnetic field that pumps spilled oil to the collection apparatus. Thesolenoids can each include pole pieces on each respective end of thesolenoids. The apparatus can also include a power source connected tothe origin of the tether so that the tether provides power to thethruster and solenoids thereby creating an electromagnetic field. Mixingiron filings with the spilled oil can magnetize the spilled oil.

In an alternative embodiment, the electromagnetic boom apparatus canfurther include a magnetic box fitted over the source of spilled oilwherein a pipe can be fitted to the magnetic box so that the magnetizedspilled oil is pumped into the magnetic box creating a magnetic gasketto control the flow of oil from the source.

In an embodiment, a method can be provided for collecting spilled oil.Such a method can comprise magnetizing oil associated with an oil spill,deploying an electromagnetic boom in the oil spill, inducing a magneticfield around the electromagnetic boom, and driving the magnetized oilalong the induced magnetic field to a collection point, thereby removingthe magnetized oil associated with the oil spill from an environment. Inanother embodiment of such a method, operations can be implemented forthrusting a distal end of the electromagnetic boom with a thruster andsweeping the electromagnetic boom through the oil spill. In yet anotherembodiment of such a method, operations can be provided for configuringthe electromagnetic boom with a plurality of alternating links of floatsand solenoids connected by a power carrying tether to a collectionapparatus and capping the plurality of solenoids with a pole piece oneach end of the solenoid.

In still another embodiment, operations for magnetizing the oilassociated with an oil spill can further comprise an operation forinserting a plurality of iron filings in the oil associated with the oilspill. In another embodiment, operations can be provided for pumping themagnetized oil into a magnetic box formed to cover a source of the oilspill, inducing a magnetic field in the magnetic box, and creating amagnetic gasket within the magnetic box to control a flow of the oilspill. In an additional embodiment, the operation for driving themagnetized oil can further comprise an operation for activating theplurality of solenoids periodically to create a pumping effect on themagnetized oil. Additional embodiments may include, for example,deploying the electromagnetic boom from a dock, or deploying theelectromagnetic boom from a boat. The aforementioned environmentgenerally comprises an aquatic environment.

In another embodiment, an electromagnetic boom apparatus can comprise aplurality of solenoids and a plurality of buoys alternately linked on atether, a thruster connected to a distal end of the tether for sweepingthe tether through an environment, and a collection apparatus formed atthe origin of the tether wherein the solenoids produce a drivingmagnetic field that pumps a spilled oil to the collection apparatus. Inanother embodiment of such an apparatus, a plurality of pole pieces canbe formed on each end of the plurality of solenoids. In yet anotherembodiment of such apparatus, a power source can be connected to theorigin of the tether wherein the tether provides power to the thrusterand the tether provides power to the solenoids thereby creating anelectromagnetic field. Additionally, in another embodiment, mixing aplurality of iron filings with the spilled oil can magnetize the spilledoil.

In another embodiment, the aforementioned electromagnetic boom apparatuscan further comprise a magnetic box fitted over a source of the spilledoil and a pipe fitted to the magnetic box wherein the magnetized spilledoil is pumped into the magnetic box thereby creating a magnetic gasketto control a flow of the spilled oil.

In another embodiment, a system can be provided for collecting spilledoil. Such a system may include a plurality of solenoids and a pluralityof buoys alternately linked on a tether, and a thruster connected to adistal end of the tether for sweeping the tether through an environment.Such a system embodiment can further include a plurality of iron filingsmixed with the spilled oil thereby rendering the spilled oil magnetic.Such a system embodiment can further include a collection apparatusformed at an origin of the tether wherein at least one solenoid amongthe plurality of solenoids produced a driving magnetic field that pumpsthe magnetized spilled oil to the collection apparatus.

In yet another embodiment, such a system can be configured to include amagnetic box fitted over a source of the spilled oil and a pipe fittedto the magnetic box wherein the magnetized spilled oil is pumped intothe magnetic box to create a magnetic gasket within the magnetized boxfor controlling a flow of the spilled oil. Additionally, in anotherembodiment, a plurality of pole pieces can be formed on each end of theplurality of solenoids. In still another embodiment of such a system, apower source can be connected to the origin of the tether wherein thetether provides power to the thruster and the tether provides power tothe solenoids thereby creating an electromagnetic field. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of solenoids can be activated periodically tocreate a pumping effect on the magnetized spilled oil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification,further illustrate the embodiments and, together with the detaileddescription serve to explain the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a section of an electromagnetic boomin accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of an oil spill clean up apparatus inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIGS. 3(a)-3(c) illustrate an electromagnetic boom propagating anelectromagnetic field in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a magnetic box apparatus in accordancewith the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a high-level flow chart of operations depictinglogical operational steps of a method for efficient oil clean up inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a high-level flow chart of operations depictinglogical operational steps of a method for controlling oil flow inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limitingexamples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate one or moreembodiments, including preferred and alternative embodiments, and arenot intended to limit the scope thereof.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/325,489 titled “ELECTROMAGNETIC BOOMAND ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP APPLICATION FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITHMAGNETIZABLE OIL,” filed on Jul. 8, 2014 describes methods for removingoil from an environment. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/325,489 isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/112,251, titled “ELECTROMAGNETICBOOM AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP APPLICATION FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITHMAGNETIZABLE OIL,” which was filed on May 20, 2011 describes systems forremoving oil from an environment. U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/112,251 is also herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/368,123, which was filedon Jul. 27, 2010, describes methods and systems for removing oil from anenvironment. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/368,123 isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/356,319, filed Jun. 18,2010, further describes methods and systems for removing oil from anenvironment. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/356,319 isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 1 depicts a section of an exemplary electromagnetic boom apparatus100, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. It should beappreciated that FIG. 1 is only exemplary and is not intended to assertor imply any limitation with regard to the environments in which aspectsor embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depictedenvironments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosed embodiments.

Electromagnetic boom apparatus 100 can be configured to include a seriesof floatation buoys 120-122 arranged between a series of solenoids110-113. The solenoids are capped on each end by pole pieces 130-137.For example, solenoid 110 is capped by pole piece 130 on one side andpole piece 131 on the other side. Electromagnetic boom apparatus 100 canbe bound together by a tether 140. A tether 140 may also be used tosupply power to the solenoids 110-113.

A solenoid, for example, solenoids 110-113, can be a loop of wirewrapped around a magnetic core. When an electric current is passedthrough the wire, a magnetic field is produced. Such a current can beprovided from a power source via a tether 140. Thus, by passing acurrent through solenoids 110-113, each solenoid is an electromagnet.Because a user can control the current provided to the solenoids110-113, the strength and direction of the magnetic field produced canalso be controlled. While solenoids 110-113 are preferably configured asdescribed above, any electromagnet may be used in an alternativeembodiment.

When an electric current is provided to solenoids 110-113, alongitudinal magnetic field is produced. This magnetic field attractsmagnetized oil to the electromagnetic boom apparatus 100 and pumps themagnetized oil toward one end of the electromagnetic boom 100. In apreferred embodiment, solenoids 110-113 can be subject to a currentperiodically, thereby switching the magnetic field on and off. Such anarrangement can serve to prevent the accumulation of material on thepoles of the electromagnet and thereby prevent shorts. The solenoids canbe wired in three groups, which can be sequenced to create a travelingfield. Switching the magnetic field on and off according to thissequencing fosters the pumping of magnetized oil to a collection point.

Electromagnetic boom apparatus 100 can be utilized in some embodimentsas a temporary floating barrier used to contain and clean an oil spill.While boom 100 can be utilized in a marine environment, the apparatus100 may alternatively be implemented for oil spill containment and cleanup in a non-marine environment such as on land or on a water freesurface. Electromagnetic boom apparatus 100 may also be used to divertoil-contaminated water to a collection point or to change the course ofthe contamination. Alternatively, electromagnetic boom apparatus may beused to block an environmentally sensitive area from contamination. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that in many cases the use of asingle boom may not be effective in containing and cleaning acontaminated environment. Thus, in an alternative embodiment, a numberof electromagnetic booms 100 may be used simultaneously to effectivelycontain and clean oil from an environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of an oil spill cleanup apparatus 200 inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 2 shows anelectromagnetic boom apparatus 100 connected to a power supply 210 and acollection apparatus 220. A power supply 210 is used to provide power tothe solenoids associated with electromagnetic boom apparatus 100 asshown in FIG. 1.

A collection apparatus 220 is located at one end of the electromagneticboom apparatus 100. In a preferred embodiment, a collection apparatus220 may be a vacuum type device that sucks the oil driven to thecollection device via the electromagnetic boom apparatus 100. However,one skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of collectiondevices are known in the art, any one of which may be implemented as acollection apparatus 200.

In FIG. 2, the distal end of the electromagnetic boom apparatus 100 isfitted with a thruster 240. A thruster 240 is used to sweep theelectromagnetic boom apparatus 100 through an environment 250. Athruster 240 may be provided power via a tether 140 (shown in FIG. 1) oralternatively maybe self powered. A thruster 240 may also be controlledby a user. A user may use a thruster 240 to direct the electromagneticboom apparatus 100 to a certain location or sweep the electromagneticboom apparatus 100 through an environment 250 as shown.

In a preferred embodiment, the oil associated with the oil spill isrendered magnetic by adding iron filings, ferrite dust filings, ormagnetite 260 to the viscous oil. The filings 260 are allowed to mixwith the oil and form a colloidal suspension that floats on water. Thefilings 260 are generally between 0.1 μm-10 μm in size. A skilledartisan will appreciate any known material and/or method may be used tomagnetize spilled oil. In an alternative embodiment, a magnetic mixturemay be pumped directly into the source of an oil spill. The resultantoil that is produced is either magnetized or readily magnetizable.

Once the oil has been magnetized, it will be responsive to the magneticfield created proximate to the electromagnetic boom apparatus 100. Arrow230 illustrates the travel path of magnetized oil toward a collectionapparatus 220 once it is subjected to the magnetic field proximate tothe electronic boom apparatus 100. Oil spill cleanup apparatus 200 isthus used to pump magnetized oil to a collection apparatus 220.

In an alternative embodiment, ferrite filings 260 may be coated with anenvironmentally safe oil absorbent material. Many such materials andmethods for coating are known in the art. In this embodiment, acollection apparatus 220 would be configured to create a magnetic fieldused to vacuum the magnetized oil from the environment 250.

The environment 250 may be embodied by any surface affected by oil. Onesuch example of the environment 250 may, for example, be a terrestrialenvironment, a marine environment, or another water free surfaceenvironment. Oil spill cleanup apparatus 200 may be deployed into theenvironment 250 from a dock, a ship, or any other location proximate tothe environment 250 as necessary.

The environment 250 may also be a living creature. For example, theenvironment 250 may be a bird covered in oil. In such an example, a birdcovered in viscous oil can be saturated with iron filings 260. A scaledversion of the electromagnetic boom apparatus 100 including solenoids110-113 can then be used to remove the oil from the bird. In such acase, solenoids 110-113 may preferably be replaced by a suitable scaledelectromagnet.

FIGS. 3(a)-3(b) illustrate a pumping sequence of an electromagnetic boomapparatus 100, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 3(a)generally depicts four solenoids 110-113, as illustrated in FIG. 1. InFIG. 3(a), solenoids 110 and 111 are illustrated as “on”. This means acurrent is being provided to the solenoids thus creating a magneticfield 310. Solenoid 112 is labeled “off” and no magnetic field istherefore propagated. Solenoid 113 is “on” and magnetic field 310 istherefore shown.

FIG. 3(b) illustrates the electromagnetic boom 100 a short period afterthe FIG. 3(a). Note that in the exemplary illustration depicted in FIG.3(b), solenoids 110 and 113 are “off” while solenoids 111 and 112 are“on”. Thus, a magnetic field 310 is generally present and proximate tosolenoids 111 and 112. An electromagnetic field 310 has propagated alongthe electromagnetic boom apparatus 100.

In FIG. 3(c), solenoid 111 has been switched “off”, while solenoids 110,112, and 113 are now “on”. Again FIG. 3(c) represents a short periodafter FIG. 3(b). FIG. 3(c) shows how magnetic field 310 has againpropagated along the electromagnetic boom apparatus 100.

In combination, FIGS. 3(a)-(c) illustrate that in a preferredembodiment, solenoids 110-113 are periodically switched on and off. Thisserves to create the pumping action of magnetic field 310 shown by arrow230 in FIG. 2. Periodically switching solenoids 110-113 also serves toprevent shorting due to material build-up at the poles of the solenoids.Such a shorting may be caused, for example, by iron filings 260 ifsolenoids 110-113 were not switched on and off. The pumping action isused to actively direct magnetized oil to a collection apparatus such ascollection apparatus 220.

The solenoids 110-113 represented in FIGS. 3(a)-(c) are exemplary of asection of solenoids associated with an electromagnetic boom 100. Thelength and design considerations of electromagnetic boom 100 are bothused to determine the total number of solenoids included in theapparatus. The solenoids 110-113 may also be wired in groups of threevia tether 140 and other necessary wiring equipment as necessary. Thiswiring arrangement is sequenced as shown in FIGS. 3(a)-(c) to provide atraveling magnetic field as described above, and to collect and pumpferromagnetic infused fluids to a collection point.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a magnetic box 400 apparatus inaccordance with the disclosed embodiments. Thus, in accordance withanother aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an oil leak can beaddressed at its source utilizing the magnetic box 400 illustrated inFIG. 4. A magnetic box 400 can be placed in a position around a leakingsubstance such as leaking oil indicated by arrow 410. A colloidalmagnetic material 420 can be pumped from a point outside the affectedenvironment into magnetic box 400 using pipe 430. The colloidal material420 will form a magnetic gasket inside the box 400 as the magneticfilings 440 separate from the oil and cling to the box walls 470 and475. The oil will continue to flow through the magnetic gasket towardthe surface as indicated by arrow 450. However, the rate of flow will besignificantly decreased as the oil naturally works through the gasket,thereby allowing for improved control of the flow as the leak is fixed.

Note the colloidal mixture 420 pumped into the magnetic box 400 can bethe same oil collected from the surface of the environment usingelectromagnetic boom apparatus 100.

Magnetic box 400 includes four outer walls. Because of the perspectiveof FIG. 4, only two of the four walls are shown. The lower section ofthe outer walls 460 and 465 can be made of a non-magnetic material. In apreferred embodiment, the lower section of the outer walls 460 and 465are made of lead. The upper section of the outer walls 470 and 475 areformed from a magnetic material so that a magnetic field is inducedbetween the walls. The top of magnetic box 480 can be fitted with aremovable choke magnet 490. Choke magnet 490 can be used to provideincreased flow control if necessary. Finally, a relief pipe 495 isprovided out of the top of box 400 to allow a controlled oil flow to acollection point at the surface of the environment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a high-level flow chart of operations depictinglogical operational steps of a method 500 for efficient oil clean upusing an oil spill cleanup apparatus such as oil spill cleanup apparatus200 and magnetic box 400, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments.As indicated at block 505, the method 500 can begin. Next, as indicatedat block 510, oil associated with an oil spill in an environment can bemagnetized. This can be achieved by inserting iron filings or magnetitein the spilled oil. Alternatively, a magnetic mixture can be pumped intothe source of the oil, for example, a leaking oil well so that theproduced oil is magnetized. Additionally, a step or operation ofmagnetizing the oil can be performed by coating the iron filings in anenvironmentally safe, oil absorbent material and then dispersing it inthe oil.

As illustrated next at block 515, an oil spill cleanup apparatusincluding an electromagnetic boom apparatus, such as electromagneticboom apparatus 100, is deployed into an environment. Next, as shown atblock 520, an electric current is provided to the solenoids, forexample, solenoids 110-113, thereby creating a plurality ofelectromagnets.

The periodic current provided to the solenoids 110-113 creates a pumpingaction as described at block 525. The periodic magnetic field draws themagnetized oil to the electromagnetic boom apparatus 100 and directs, orpumps, it toward a collection apparatus located at the end of theelectromagnetic boom apparatus 100.

A thruster located on the distal end of the electromagnetic boomapparatus, for example, thruster 240, is then used to sweep the boomthrough the environment. A user may direct the boom to a specificlocation or sweep the boom across the entire environment as illustratedat block 530. In addition, a magnetic box apparatus 400 can be used tocontrol oil flow as indicated at block 535. These steps allows for theactive containment and cleaning of the entire affected environment.

Finally, as depicted at block 540, the magnetized oil can be removedfrom the environment utilizing a collection apparatus such as, forexample, the collection apparatus 220. The collection may be a vacuumtype device as described above. The method then ends at block 545.Method 500 thus provides an active and efficient way to remove oil froman affected environment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a high level operational flow chart of operations ofa method 600 associated with step 535 from FIG. 5, in accordance withthe disclosed embodiments. As indicated at block 605, operations ofmethod 600 can be initiated. Thereafter, as indicated at block 610, acolloidal mixture of oil and magnetic filings can be pumped from thesurface of an environment into a magnetic box such as, for example,magnetic box 400.

The magnetic box 400 can be constructed to include a lower section andupper section. The lower section of the magnetic box 400 is notmagnetized. The upper section of the magnetic box 400 can be formed froma magnetic material so that a magnetic field is induced within themagnetic box 400, as described at block 615. As the magnetic filingsseparate from the oil because they are subject to the magnetic field, amagnetic gasket can be formed within the box 400, as indicated at block620.

Oil will continue to flow naturally through the magnetic box 400.However, as described at block 625, as a result of the magnetic gasketand the effects of gravity, the flow rate will be reduced allowing for acontrolled flow to the environment surface where the oil can becollected. The method 600 depicted in FIG. 6 can then terminate, asdepicted at block 630.

In summation, the disclosed embodiments for an oil spill cleanup caninclude, for example, an electromagnetic boom apparatus that comprisessolenoids and buoys alternately linked on a tether. A thruster can beconnected to the distal end of the tether for sweeping the tetherthrough an environment, and a collection apparatus can be formed at theorigin of the tether so that the solenoids can produce a drivingmagnetic field that pumps spilled oil to the collection apparatus. Thesolenoids can each include pole pieces on each respective end of thesolenoids. The apparatus can also include a power source connected tothe origin of the tether so that the tether provides power to thethruster and solenoids thereby creating an electromagnetic field. Thespilled oil can be magnetized by mixing iron filings with the spilledoil.

In an alternative embodiment, the electromagnetic boom apparatus furtherincludes a magnetic box fitted over the source of spilled oil wherein apipe can be fitted to the magnetic box so that the magnetized spilledoil is pumped into the magnetic box creating a magnetic gasket tocontrol the flow of oil from the source.

Thus, in an embodiment, a method can be provided for collecting spilledoil. Such a method can comprise magnetizing oil associated with an oilspill, deploying an electromagnetic boom in the oil spill, inducing amagnetic field around the electromagnetic boom, and driving themagnetized oil along the induced magnetic field to a collection point,thereby removing the magnetized oil associated with the oil spill froman environment. In another embodiment of such a method, operations canbe implemented for thrusting a distal end of the electromagnetic boomwith a thruster and sweeping the electromagnetic boom through the oilspill. In yet another embodiment of such a method, operations can beprovided for configuring the electromagnetic boom with a plurality ofalternating links of floats and solenoids connected by a power carryinga tether to a collection apparatus, and capping the plurality ofsolenoids with a pole piece on each end of the solenoid.

In still another embodiment, operations for magnetizing the oilassociated with an oil spill can further comprise an operation forinserting a plurality of iron filings in the oil associated with the oilspill. In another embodiment, operations can be provided for pumping themagnetized oil into a magnetic box formed to cover a source of the oilspill, inducing a magnetic field in the magnetic box, and creating amagnetic gasket within the magnetic box to control the flow of the oilspill. In an additional embodiment, the operation for driving themagnetized oil can further comprise an operation for activating theplurality of solenoids periodically to create a pumping effect on themagnetized oil. Additional embodiments may include, for example,deploying the electromagnetic boom from a dock, or deploying theelectromagnetic boom from a boat. The aforementioned environmentgenerally comprises an aquatic environment.

In another embodiment, an electromagnetic boom apparatus can comprise aplurality of solenoids and a plurality of buoys alternately linked on atether, a thruster connected to a distal end of the tether for sweepingthe tether through an environment, and a collection apparatus formed atthe origin of the tether wherein the solenoids produce a drivingmagnetic field that pumps spilled oil to the collection apparatus. Inanother embodiment of such an apparatus, a plurality of pole pieces canbe formed on each end of the plurality of solenoids. In yet anotherembodiment of such apparatus, a power source can be connected to theorigin of the tether wherein the tether provides power to the thrusterand the tether provides power to the solenoids thereby creating anelectromagnetic field. Additionally, in another embodiment, the spilledoil can be magnetized by mixing a plurality of iron filings with thespilled oil.

In another embodiment, the aforementioned electromagnetic boom apparatuscan further comprise a magnetic box fitted over a source of the spilledoil, and a pipe fitted to the magnetic box wherein the magnetizedspilled oil is pumped into the magnetic box thereby creating a magneticgasket to control the flow of the spilled oil.

In another embodiment, a system can be provided for collecting spilledoil. Such a system may include a plurality of solenoids and a pluralityof buoys alternately linked on a tether, and a thruster connected to adistal end of the tether for sweeping the tether through an environment.Such a system embodiment can further include a plurality of iron filingsmixed with spilled oil thereby rendering the spilled oil magnetic. Sucha system embodiment can further include a collection apparatus formed atan origin of the tether wherein at least one solenoid among theplurality of solenoids produce a driving magnetic field that pumps themagnetized spilled oil to the collection apparatus.

In yet another embodiment, such a system can be configured to include amagnetic box fitted over a source of the spilled oil, and a pipe fittedto the magnetic box wherein the magnetized spilled oil is pumped intothe magnetic box to create a magnetic gasket within the magnetized boxfor controlling the flow of the spilled oil. Additionally, in anotherembodiment, a plurality of pole pieces can be formed on each end of theplurality of solenoids. In still another embodiment of such a system, apower source can be connected to the origin of the tether wherein thetether provides power to the thruster and the tether provides power tothe solenoids thereby creating an electromagnetic field. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of solenoids can be activated periodically tocreate a pumping effect on the magnetized spilled oil.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Itwill be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Also, thatvarious presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequentlymade by those skilled in the art which are also intended to beencompassed by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oil leak plugging apparatus comprising: amagnetic box fitted over an oil leak in an environment; a pipe in saidmagnetic box fitted around said source of leaking oil; and a pumpconfigured to pump a colloidal magnetic mixture into said magnetic boxthereby creating a magnetic gasket around said pipe to prevent the flowof said leaking oil.
 2. The oil leak plugging apparatus of claim 1wherein said colloidal magnetic mixture comprises spilled oil collectedfrom said source of leaking oil and magnetic filings.
 3. The oil leakplugging apparatus of claim 2 wherein said magnetic filings compriseiron filings.
 4. The oil leak plugging apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidmagnetic box further comprises: a lid; and at least four walls whereinsaid lid and said at least four walls comprise a permanently magneticmaterial.
 5. The oil leak plugging apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidenvironment comprises an aquatic environment.
 6. The oil leak pluggingapparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electromagnetic boomapparatus comprising: a plurality of solenoids and a plurality of buoysalternately linked on a tether; a power supply operably connected tosaid plurality of solenoids via said tether; a thruster connected to adistal end of said tether for sweeping said tether through saidenvironment; and a collection apparatus formed at an origin of saidtether wherein said solenoids produce a driving magnetic field thatpumps spilled oil to said collection apparatus and said collectionapparatus supplies said colloidal magnetic mixture into said magneticbox.
 7. A system for stopping oil leaks comprising: a magnetic boxfitted over an oil leak in an environment; a pipe in said magnetic boxfitted around said source of leaking oil; and a pump configured to pumpa colloidal magnetic mixture into said magnetic box thereby creating amagnetic gasket around said pipe to prevent the flow of said leakingoil.
 8. The system for stopping oil leaks of claim 7 wherein saidcolloidal magnetic mixture comprises spilled oil collected from saidsource of leaking oil and magnetic filings.
 9. The system for stoppingoil leaks of claim 8 wherein said magnetic filings comprise ironfilings.
 10. The system for stopping oil leaks of claim 7 wherein saidmagnetic box further comprises: a lid; and at least four walls whereinsaid lid and said at least four walls comprise a permanently magneticmaterial.
 11. The system for stopping oil leaks of claim 7 wherein saidenvironment comprises an aquatic environment.
 12. The oil leak pluggingapparatus of claim 7 further comprising an electromagnetic boomapparatus comprising: a plurality of solenoids and a plurality of buoysalternately linked on a tether; a power supply operably connected tosaid plurality of solenoids via said tether; a thruster connected to adistal end of said tether for sweeping said tether through saidenvironment; and a collection apparatus formed at an origin of saidtether wherein said solenoids produce a driving magnetic field thatpumps spilled oil to said collection apparatus and said collectionapparatus supplies said colloidal magnetic mixture into said magneticbox.